Controversy of The Characters Torvald and Nora in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”

Throughout the story of A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, we are able to see just how flawed Torvald’s character is. In the beginning of the story, we come across Nora coming home with Christmas gifts for the children and Torvald scolding her for not spending money wisely. Even though Torvald has recently just been promoted at his job at the bank, he sees no need to just be giving away money. Ibsen reveals to us through visitors that Nora recently borrowed a large amount of money from Krogstad to help pay the bills while Torvald was sick. Not wanting to reveal the money she borrowed from Torvald, she is forced to help Krogstad keep his job under Torvald. In the end, Torvald finds out about the loan and gets angry with Nora, telling her to leave but then begs her to stay because he did not want his reputation and his family’s reputation to be ruined. As they exchange wedding rings, Nora says that she would only come back if they could have a true marriage.

Throughout this story, Torvald acts in ways that display his views on how women should act and his control issues over Nora. Although, we could argue about whether Torvald is misogynistic or antagonistic of Nora, the text displays that societal norms made him both. Because Torvald and Nora were married in the 19th century, Torvald acts misogynistically and antagonistically because of the societal pressures that caused him to value image over his wife.

Being married in the 19th century confined women from doing a lot of things. Women were not allowed to go out and get jobs to earn money. If they did, all their earnings would belong to their husbands.Women were expected to stay home, take care of the children, and to please their husbands (Simkin). Specific encounters showed that Torvald acted in ways that aligned with the 19th century. For example, Nora is very loving mother, buying the children Christmas gifts, spending time with them and always wondering when they will be back. Torvald on the other hand says in Act 1, TORVALD. Come along, Mrs. Linde; the place will only be bearable for a mother now! This quote gives off the impression that Torvald really does not want anything to do with the kids. He barely acknowledges his children when they come into the house. Torvald left the children with Nora just like how it was supposed to be in the 19th century.

Although this is the way society treated women, Torvald still acted in a misogynistic manner. Torvald’s nicknames for his wife Nora are very alarming, as it comes off to be demeaning and is sort of mentally abusive. Torvald uses names like, “my poor little Nora, my little squirrel, my little sweet-tooth.” Every name has the word “little” in it. That makes the reader assume that Torvald does not see Nora as being equal but as being childlike.

Torvald even says in the story, TORVALD. “The child shall have it her way” (Ibsen, A Doll’s House 1034; act 2) This quote meaning that Torvald thinks of Nora again, as acting like a child, which gives off the impression that this is how a father would either speak to his child or his daughter, almost parent-like. Torvald does not see their relationship as husband and wife.

Further through the story we are able to see just how much control Torvald has over Nora. Nora is very submissive to Torvald as her main role throughout A Doll’s House is to please Torvald. Nora lets Torvald reteach her the dance of the Tarantella, because he wants it to be perfect and up to his standards. In Act 3, Torvald says:

TORVALD. …. When I watched the seductive figure of the Tarantella, my blood was on fire; I could endure it no longer, and that is why I brought you down so early — NORA. Go away, Torvald! You must let me go. I won’t — TORVALD. What’s that? You’re joking, my little Nora! You won’t– you won’t? Am I not your husband–? (Ibsen, A Doll’s House 1040; act 3) This shows how Torvald did not really care how Nora was feeling.Torvald was just looking out for himself because as a wife, Nora was suppose to what she was told, to physically please her husband.

Torvald also shows misogynists qualities in Act 3 because he was worried about what people would think of him and his family if they got divorced. Getting a divorce in the 19th century was highly frowned upon and Torvald did not want to lose his high societal status that he had worked so hard for TORVALD. To desert your home, your husband and your children! And you don’t consider what people will say! (Ibsen, A Doll’s House 1048; act 3) Torvald knows that Nora is just a “doll” in his house but he puts his reputation first when and would never jeopardize by trying to protect Nora.

At the end of Act 3, we see how Torvald went from “caring” about Nora to having this antagonist contrast when he begs her not to leave. Torvald says: TORVALD. Nora, Nora, not now! Wait until tomorrow. NORA (putting on her cloak). I cannot spend another night in a strange man’s room. TORVALD. But can’t we live here like brother and sister –? (Ibsen, A Doll’s House 1050; act 3) Torvald knows that people will look differently at Noro and his family if she decides to leave.

But Nora knows that she can not stay another night in this “doll house”. Nora was treated like a doll when she lived with her father and forced to agree with what his thoughts and beliefs were, not allowing her to have her own opinions or any dreams of her own. When Nora got married to to Torvald she was basically placed in Torvald’s hands and was like his “doll” throughout their marriage (Ibsen 1047). Overall, I would say that Torvald is a flat character. Torvald’s character is described thoroughly throughout the whole play, his personality, his beliefs about women, and his dedication to keep his social standing remain the same.

Through all of these encounters we can see that Torvalds attitude towards Nora is both antagonistic and misogynistic due to the views of women he holds because of societal norms. Torvald continually displays that he cares more about his image and his own success rather than Nora and her happiness. Torvald wanted so badly to live up of the image of the man society told him to be. In a way, Nora and Torvald were both just ‘dolls’ in society’s ‘doll’s house’.

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